News
Not Good Enough; schools should have been ready says PDM
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, September 11, 2023 – The opposition People’s Democratic Movement is calling for monthly maintenance of public schools as they chide the government for being ill-prepared for the start of the 2023/24 school year, resulting in inconvenience for students and teachers.
“This PNP government has demonstrated to the people of the Turks and Caicos their lack of preparedness to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for our students by not having the nation’s public schools fully ready for the academic year,” said Robert Been, Deputy Party Leader.
He called for accountability and transparency on why the schools were not ready for September.
Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning had announced on August 31st that work was still ongoing on schools across the country despite the school year being set to start in days. While acknowledging that the Minister had accepted responsibility for the delay, Been maintained that this did not absolve him of criticism.
“Every year we know when school closes just like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, we know that school will close in June and reopen in September and yet you’re not prepared,” said Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader
Washington Misick, TCI Premier was also criticized for participating in what the PDM says appeared to be last-ditch efforts to get schools ready.
“We all saw the video of the premier and the minister of home affairs on some kind of tractor less than 24 hours
before the new school year opened putting some sand on the road leading to the Ona Glinton Primary School, that’s it throwing some sand— those things should have been done long time.”
In this vein, Been said the PDM wanted more than maintenance during school holidays
“What is truly needed is a consistent monthly maintenance program for all government schools. This proactive approach is essential for ensuring the proper upkeep and maintenance of our educational facilities.”
He remarked on the impact of ill-prepared school campuses on teachers.
“We cannot forget that our teachers are equally deserving of a safe, clean and pleasant working environment so that they can give their best to our students. I have heard very little from Minister Robinson on how these delays on school maintenance has impacted our teachers who themselves are making concessions and sacrifices in service to our nation’s children, our most prized possessions. ”
The Deputy Leader also criticized Minister of Education Rachel Taylor for her approach to the issue saying she stopped sort of accepting any responsibility for the maintenance delays and surmised that the style of education management by the PNP Administration will cause students to be left behind.
“The buck stops with her.”
He described the PDM’s position on education.
“An intensive assessment of the physical infrastructure in our education system must be undertaken immediately to ensure we are not focused on quick fix solutions but that we are seriously invested in facilities that are resilient and equipped to cater to the learning needs of our students with a key focus on STEM.”
Opposition Leader, Edwin Astwood maintained that should the PDM be voted into office they would mandate that all contracts be awarded before the end of the school year (May 31st ) to make sure work could commence immediately after the closure of schools.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
